Construction on the Aswan Dam starts in Egypt

Updated: 8 Jan 2020

The building of the world famous High Aswan Dam, which was also known as Saad el Aali in Arabic was started in Egypt. The Dam contained 18 times the material used in the Great Pyramid of Cheops. The Dam is 11, 811 feet long, 3215 feet thick at the base and and 364 feet tall. Today it provides irrigation and power supply for the whole of Egypt.

How we know this

01Tour Egypt 'The High Dam' from Tour Egypt, [online] Available at www.touregypt.net,[Accessed on 09 December 2013]
02Rosenberg M, (02 March, 2011), 'Aswan High Dam' from ABout.com Guide [online] Available at www.geography.about.com

Last updated · 8 Jan 2020

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Construction on the Aswan Dam starts in Egypt. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011877

South African History Online (2011) 'Construction on the Aswan Dam starts in Egypt', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011877 (Accessed: 7 November 2026).

South African History Online, Construction on the Aswan Dam starts in Egypt [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011877, (accessed 7 November 2026).

"Construction on the Aswan Dam starts in Egypt." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011877. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

South African History Online. "Construction on the Aswan Dam starts in Egypt." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011877.